I wrote yesterday about compulsory mask wearing and how it was an issue for some people. I watched a video the other night of a mature American lady screaming like a chastised toddler because she was asked to wear a face covering in a store. I don’t know what was more shocking – the seismic scale of her tantrum or the sorry reality that she’s not a one off and many other people across the globe would probably react in exactly the same manner.
It would appear that their ‘right’ to do whatever they want, whenever they want, overrides the safety of those around them. They put their needs before those of their fellow human beings. It would be laughable if it wasn’t so worrying. Has society really reached the point where we cannot make small sacrifices for the greater good? I don’t particularly enjoy wearing a mask, they’re uncomfortable, but I’ll do it if it means contributing towards defeating a deadly virus.
The ironic thing is, we all walk around wearing masks anyway. They are called our faces. How many times have we produced a false smile when inside our hearts are breaking? The same goes for our mouths. How many times have you answered ‘I’m fine’ when, in reality, your world is falling apart? Turned up and went through the motions when all we really want to do is crawl under a rock and die. We act, we perform, we put on a show, rather than show the world how we are really feeling.
So, what’s another mask when our lives are dominated by them anyway? Masks are part of our daily walk, we don them all the time to protect our privacy from prying eyes, to keep up appearances. To show vulnerability and honestly expose our faults and weaknesses is just not the ‘done thing.’ It’s frowned upon, people don’t want to hear of our inner struggles, it’s all so sordid and unnecessary. Only shiny, happy stories will suffice.
I wore such a mask for many years. In work, at church, wherever I went. People didn’t see the real me, warts and all, they saw the version of me that I thought they wanted to see. I lived a chameleon like existence, changing my personal values and character traits at a whim in order to fit in and feel valued. I was a walking, talking charade. I played the part of the happy chappy when inside I was a seething ball of anger and despair.
One day I hit rock bottom. And from there I started to rebuild. At the heart of that was this blog, the place where I tentatively began to write three years ago and share my scars with the world. I was nervous at first, fearful as to how others would respond. I need not have worried. WordPress was, and still is, the most supportive, encouraging social media platform I’ve ever experienced. I’m so glad I stumbled onto it all those years ago.
I discovered like minded souls. People who were willing to open up and exorcise their darkest demons via the written word. Survivors who had battled the odds, faced their worst fears and emerged out the other side. Fellow travellers who wanted to share their experiences, good and bad. They wore no masks but bathed in the truth and made no apology about it. They wanted to write, needed to write, it was as natural and necessary as drawing air into their lungs.
Some have fallen by the wayside and left the blogging world, others dip their toe in the water only occasionally now. While others have remained, steadfast beacons offering daily encouragement and support. Others have emerged to fill the ranks, it is a vibrant, ever changing community of like minded souls. We need no masks here as we have nothing to fear from one another. Express yourself. Speak the truth. Throw away your mask.
Black Thoughts 
Well, thanks to my fellow Americans who refuse to wear masks, our inept leader who won’t actually do anything, and states left to go their own way, you don’t actually need to worry about seeing Americans anymore for a long time.
No, really. Aside a few Caribbean islands and the Balkans, every country on Earth has barred Americans entry. We can’t even drive north or south into Canada or Mexico. If you are an American today and had foreign travel plans, they’ve been cancelled, and will be for years.
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A lot of Americans have never been outside of the USA which is a shame.
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Outstanding post Stephen. Thanks.
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Excellent post, Stephen, thank you.
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You’re welcome, Simon. Thanks for reading.
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I agree totally with every single word ❤
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Thank you 😊
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Your welcome.
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Love this! I’d never thought about how we all wear masks in our daily lives!!
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Thank you for reading 🙂
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I am one of those “stupid Americans” who has something to say about masks in the US. You surely must know the media picks up on sensational stories that do not represent the population at large. I live in the US and can tell you everywhere I go people are wearing masks. I wear a mask every time I leave my house and so do others as we shop, go to Doctors and work. Don’t be taken in by the immature, irresponsible media and think it represents the whole because it does not. Perhaps I should write a blog post about this? However people will believe the scandalous media stories over me.
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Fellow American here!
This must be a geographic or state by state issue. At least the northern half of my state is fairly stuck in denial and refusal to take safety precautions, and I’ve witnessed tantrums similar to what I assume most news stations are picking up. It definitely isn’t everyone, but it’s enough, and in the area I’m in currently, it’s the majority.
I hope your experiences become more universal soon!
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I am sorry to hear about your state. I am in a state with lots of COVID and a strict governor as well. Apparently she has gotten her point across.
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Lena, here in Massachusetts, people are masking up, using hand sanitizer, and keeping the 6 feet apart per the Governor Baker’s orders. Not sure how other parts of the U.S. truly are..but I am sure you are correct. The sensationalism is not representative of us as a whole.
Unfortunately, slander, propaganda, and exploitative media unfortunately still sells.
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Yes it does! Thanks for your comment. I appreciate the support. 😊
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It is horrid how some folks act and react. I had to go see the eye doctor and was very impressed with their actions to keep us all as safe as they can! Glasses and masks are not fun. But I wear it for me and for thee.
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That’s good to hear 🙂
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You’re alright, Stephen. Thanks for sharing from your perspective.
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Thank you sir 🙂
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Entitled persons who cannot accept that THIS is the new normal scare the hell out of me. This disease isn’t going to go away, people need to adapt. We’re living in a place where daily temps are 40.5C for the next week – we adapt to not going out and shoveling rocks in that! But ask someone to cover their face, and the temper tantrums about “rights” and “fake news” run amok. I’m willing to be that there are families of 130,000 Americans who would far rather be laughing about pulling a fast one on gullible news watchers than missing their loved ones. I know the whole world doesn’t revolve around us. We’re going to sink under our own foolish “leadership”.
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Well said, Liz. Not quite sure how 138,000 plus recorded deaths is ‘fake news.’ But then, what do I know 😉
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You’re right that blogging needs no mask, but it’s a risk nonetheless. I have not shared my name on my blog because I want to keep my anonymity. But even then, I like to think that I’m responsible with it. My anonymity is a copy of my real self, so in a sense…I guess you could say I’m not wearing a mask either?
As for the people fighting masks and public health policies, there isn’t much we can do about them. There’s always a certain kind of karma waiting down the road for these people, and we shouldn’t pay any attention to them. Just keep doing you, stay safe, and by taking care of yourself you’re helping to keep other people safe during this pandemic.
All the best! 🙂
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Thank you very much. I very much respect your right to anonymity 🙂
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Unfortunately, the media zones in on the worst cases of human behavior. For example, in my American town everyone is wearing face masks as required and the store clerks even sanitize our shopping carts. I hate wearing a mask, but I do it for my own protection. I think the media unfairly portrays Americans as ignorant and insolent. It’s a mighty big country with a large population. It’s important not to stereotype us just by the few bad apples portrayed. Stereotyping is unfair. The majority of Americans are complying with mask mandates. The media would get bored if they actually told the boring truth for once. I would like to see the media just follow the shoppers around in the grocery store here. They’d fall over from the monotony. No tantrums-but it would surely spice things up a bit!
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Thank you very much for your comments. I wasn’t stereotyping anyone. Believe me, us Irish know all about being stereotyped.
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I’m originally from the Deep South (Georgia) and in this region we have borne the brunt of stereotypes. We have a phrase to counter stereotypes: “Just because I talk slow, doesn’t mean I think slow.” My paternal great-grandparents were from County Cork and I’ve heard all types of stereotypes about the Irish. My father would quickly shut it down when he heard derisive comments about the Irish. I visited Ireland years ago and do love it. I haven’t visited Northern Ireland, but after reading your blog I would like to go.
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Standing ovation and wild applause on this post, Stephen!!! So true how bloggers throw away their masks as they shed their veneer through their writing.
Love this! ❤️🌈👏👏👏
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Thank you very much. Takes a bow 😊
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Sadly, Stephen, you are seeing exactly what is happening here in the US. I live in NC where the virus is running rampant, many familiar friends dying, and many who have lost family members, and yet so many people are not only refusing to wear a mask out of sheer spite and pride but they are being so ugly to one another. The tantrums and violence is on BOTH sides. A woman and her little girl were pepper sprayed for not wearing a mask by a gentleman who was wearing his and was outraged that so many were not. I have been witnessing it just as much in the church, more often it is worse. It is sad indeed.
Just weeks ago we all promised the medical community to do our part to lessen their burdens at the hospital and because they doctors and nurses are dying from the disease as well, and having to stay away from the families… children without their parents. We vowed #stay home, stay safe… and #We Will Remember. Sadly many have forgotten that vow, and/or don’t care about it anymore. My sister and I get looks, comments, and event bullying for wearing our masks and gloves, but we have an 86 yr old stepdad with lung disease to look after, and our own health. As Christians, we are to keep our vows because they reflect on God. Many are going to be bitter when this is all over because of losing loved ones and seeing the pettiness. We need to pray and remember.
Loved your message about our true masks. It’s actually very representative of the masks that COVID has and is exposing. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Gail. I’m sorry to read of your negative experiences and just hope there are better times ahead for us all.
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God is still working every day. 🙂
With God there is always hope.
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Very accurate analogy between the face mask and the face as a mask. Love it!
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You’re welcome. Thank you 😊
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Thank for adding to the welcoming and supportive environment that is WordPress. I started my blog to write about my experiences of depression while playing ultimate frisbee at an international level. It has evolved from that – much like I heard happened for you from your interview today – into a love of writing where I hope to one day have a published book (or maybe more than one!)
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You’re very welcome. Looking forward to following your journey 🙂
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Great post, very well written. WordPress is a great community to be part of.
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Thank you very much.
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Love this post! I am so glad to be back from the abyss of not writing and reading.
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Thank you 😊
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“Bloggers don’t wear mask!” This is a deep post. The worst mask is the invisble one that many people wear all the time. Thank you for sharing. I will share your post on my Facebook page.
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Great post!
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Thank you 😊
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stay safe.
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You too
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😷 I wear a mask and I am a blogger!!
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Very wise 👍🏻
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